Broom-clasp.



PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

1"; s. SMITH. BROOM CLASP. APPLICATION FILE]? DEC, 17, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

/NVEN70B A Khan/ AT Sm ii/z NIT'ED STATES iatented September 15, 190%.

PATENT OFFIC BROOM-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,230, dated September 15, 1903.

Application filed December 17,1902. Serial No. 135,546. (No model.)

To all whom it may concerfi: V Be it known that I, FRANK SELLARS SMITH a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Vancouver, in the Province of British lumbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Broom-Clasp, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved broomclasp designed to bind together the straws toward the lower end of a broom, whereby the article will wear more uniformly and perform better work.

It is a matter of common experience that the irregular Wear of a broom is largely due to a Want of support toward the end of the straws, whereby they are allowed to Straggle, and, further, that the broom in that condition is not so efficient in its sweeping-as it would be if the straw ends were held more compactly together.

My object has therefore been to provide a clasp that will control this straggling tendency while not impairing the flexibility of the broom-head. I have further endeavored to design a clasp'that can readily be attached and removed, as desired, that is adjustable in all its parts, so that it can be adapted to brooms of varying size or regulated to the re quirements of the user or to the changed conditions of wear.

With these objects in view I construct my clasp of a thin flat material which will offer a light resilient resistance only in the direction of necessary flexure, While it will be sufficiently rigid laterally to resist spreading. The thin fiat material also permits of a simple means of adjustment.

The construction and application of my clasp are fully described in the following specification,andi1lu stratedin the drawings which accompany it. Figure 1 being a. perspective view of the clasp, showing its application to a broom; Fig. 2, a detail plan of the principal clasping-band; Fig. 3, a detail plan of the clasp member which secures the device to the handle of the broom, and Fig. 4: is a perspective part section of an alternative method of connecting the band ends.

The device consists, essentially, of a thin light band 2, inclosing the straw of the broom down toward the lower end, 'which band is secured by two vertical side members 3 to a clasping-ring 4 around the base of-the broomgenerally is exaggerated in the drawings to enable the construction and attachment of the parts to be clearly shown; but in practice they will be made as thin as possible compatible with the requirements of strength and support.

The band 2 is provided on its inner side with two strips 6, having inwardly-turned ends 6, which are designed to enter among the straws of the broom and distribute the support, and I preferably make the band in two halves, as clearly shown in the drawings, and connect them together by a lapped joint secured by a small bolt 7- and a nut 8, having a milled edge, so that it may be tightened up by the fingers. The holes in the band through which the bolt passes are elongated, as 2*, enabling the band to be enlarged or contracted. The same fastening secures the strips 6 and attach the band 2 to the side members 3, the latter being also provided with elongated holes 3 to permit of vertical adjustment. The band 5, having elongated apertures 5 is similarly constructed and so;- cured to the side members 3, but is without the supplementary engaging strips 6.

The top clasping-ring 4 is made in one piece and at its lapped joint is secured by smallbolts and nuts 7 and 8 through elongated holes 4: in the clasp and 3* in the side members 3.

To the lower end of one of the side r mbers 3 I secure a ring 9 in such a manner Mint.

it will fold up against the membea This is for the purpose of hanging up the broom when not in use and will be found a convenient attachment.

I need not enlarge on the necessity for a binding device of this kind, as the need has been generally felt; but I feel assured that mine will satisfy the requirement. It may be made very light and from the design will afforda maximum of support against any tendency of the straw of the broom to spread laterally, while in the direction of the strain of sweeping the thin flat section will oppose little or no resistance to flexure. The facil ity with which the bands can be adjusted to fit any size of broom or the closeness of the grip varied to suit the requirements of the person using it is an advantage which will be appreciated.

Fig. 4 shows in detail how thebands 2 may I at their lap connection be supported by small Having now particularly described my invention/and the manner of its use, I declare that what I claim as new, and desire to be protected in by Letters Patent, is-

A device as described, horizontally-arranged broom-encircling bands, each formed of two sections having their ends overlapping, said ends having elongated apertures, a supplemental band for encircling the handle portion of the broom, Vertical side strips connected to the supplemental band and passing downwardly over the ends of the horizontallyarranged bands, said side strips having elongated apertures at the points where the side strips overlap the encircling bands, supplemental strips, having inturned ends secured to the lowermost bands,bo1ts passing through the said supplemental strips encircling bands and side strips for connecting same together, said supplemental strips having their ends adapted to engage the broom-straw and said encircling bands being horizontally adjustable in relation to themselves, and vertically adjustable upon the side strips for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK SELLARS SMITH.

Witnesses:

ROWLAND BRITTAIN, RICHARD B. WARD. 

